Ruth Malman will be honored with the 2024 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award locally in September and at the International Lion of Judah Conference in January 2025. Malman is being honored for her leadership, philanthropy, initiative, and decades of volunteering. She has been a Lion of Judah since 1985 and was honored with the Golda Award in 2017.
Recently, JEWISHcolorado spoke with her about her long tenure serving the Jewish community in Colorado.
You have been involved with JEWISHcolorado for over 40 years, dating back to when the organization was known as the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado. Do you remember the first time you participated in a Federation activity?
In the early 1980s, I went on two missions to Israel with about a dozen wonderful women, many of whom became my mentors. Together, we welcomed Ethiopian Jews as they stepped off the plane to make Aliyah. Soon thereafter, I joined the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) where I met incredible women doing meaningful work around the globe. These experiences cemented my relationship with JEWISHcolorado as the place where I wanted to spend my philanthropic time.
Ruth Malman (center) on 2000s Allied Jewish Federation Women’s Mission
Had you been to Israel before those Federation trips?
I was in Israel, incredibly enough, in July of 1967. I became a bat mitzvah and my gift was a trip to Israel. I spent six weeks with a group of high school kids from Cleveland. It was right after the Six-Day War, and there was a sense of unbelievable patriotism in the country. We went everywhere, and every place had meaning although I did not necessarily realize it at the time. It was a life-changing experience at a formative time.
When I went back to Israel in the early ‘80s, I had more perspective about Israel’s history and geography. Watching Ethiopian immigrants kiss the ground was a reminder that only Jews would take Biblical Jews out of Ethiopia and bring them home to the promised land of Israel. It was the highlight of the mission. Today, Israel continues to welcome all who want to come and make Aliyah.
Do you come from a background where philanthropy was encouraged?
I was raised with a strong Judaic background, including attending a Jewish day school in Cincinnati. I was never conflicted about my Judaism or who I was as a Jew. My parents and grandparents were involved in a myriad of Jewish organizations including Hadassah, JCC, and City of Hope. From them, I learned that if you have the capacity to give—and we all do—then you should, and you will receive much more than you give.
Ruth Malman and husband Michael Opatowksi
You have a long list of volunteer involvement, but you also have had a very extensive professional career.
I originally came to Colorado to attend the University of Denver Law School. I had a very busy private law practice for 40 years, first with one of my brothers and later my other brother joined us. I did all types of cases as a young attorney—criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic—but I ended up concentrating in workers’ compensation and personal injury law. While the law practice was rewarding, the volunteer work was more rewarding. Busy people get things done. One makes time for what is important for the soul.
You have served in multiple leadership roles, but when you look back, are there certain achievements that you point to with personal pride?
I was a member and also chaired the Jewish Community Foundation before it merged with JEWISHcolorado. While I was involved, we funded Ramah in the Rockies so they could purchase the land for the camp. Ramah now has an incredibly successful camp, it paid back the loan, and it was a win-win for all. It’s the kind of project I would like to see us continue to do.
In the late 1990s, I was the chair of Herzl Jewish Day School at the time that we joined forces with Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy (RMHA) to create what is now Denver Jewish Day School (DJDS). When we kicked off the merger, we needed to raise $10 million to succeed. We were told that it would only be possible to raise $3 million from the community. Well, we raised the $10 million. I believe that we received the first local $1 million gift that had ever happened in the community, from the community. And a big-shout out to all (you know who you are) for committing your time, talent, and treasure to achieve this success.
When I was a member and chair of the East Angel Friends & Alumni Foundation in the mid-2000s, I discovered that we had students at the school who were homeless, and we had students who did not have food over the weekends. The board started a food pantry at East High. It was such a meaningful project as hungry students cannot learn.
When you talk about these accomplishments, it strikes me that all three have something in common—the well-being of children and their education.
I think that is where we need to put our resources. Every child should be fed, be nurtured, and have the opportunity to learn and to fulfill their potential.
You were chair of the board at JEWISHcolorado during a period of great uncertainty because of COVID and all the restrictions that came with the pandemic.
During those two years, I really discovered a new appreciation for what it means to be part of a national organization like JFNA. Because of their guidance, we were able to help agencies throughout Colorado to access PPP and whatever else was needed during that uncertain time. Many people do not understand what it means to be part of JFNA until you need their resources. The resources they gave us at that time were invaluable. We would not have been able to get through those years without their help. Also, I value the emergency campaigns JFNA coordinates for Israel and our other global partners. JFNA has the infrastructure to immediately meet needs in times of crisis while continuously serving the every day needs of our Jewish world.
Ruth and Michael on 2022 Public Officials Mission
Are there any other aspects of your involvement with JEWISHcolorado that you would like to highlight?
A few years ago, my husband Michael and I went to Israel on the Public Officials Mission Trip [offered by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of JEWISHcolorado]. This trip gave me much more understanding of the work of the JCRC and what it does politically through lobbying and advocacy to assure our voices are heard on legislation that affects the Jewish community. The Colorado legislation that enacted “Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Public Schools” is just one example of the work done by the JCRC. Even after decades of being involved, I did not fully grasp the impact of establishing relationships with public officials. It is so important to recognize the work of the JCRC and how making relationships with our Colorado legislators over decades helps to improve Jewish life in Colorado.
I also have to mention Ramat HaNegev. Twenty-five years ago, Michael and I were one of 10 couples who had met Shmulik [Rifman z”l, Mayor of Ramat HaNegev]. Who could ever say no to Shmulik? The group of couples, together with two foundations, raised $300,000. Members of the group went to Israel to see what would be helpful in the Ramat HaNegev region, and we made microloans, supported a housing project, and funded some other needs. It was a jump start of the special relationship with the region that we and JEWISHcolorado continue to support.
You are being honored officially at the International Lion of Judah Conference in January, where you will be surrounded by women philanthropists.
The Lion of Judah is my favorite conference. I don’t think I have missed one yet! I am humbled to receive this award, especially when I see what other women have accomplished around the country and around the world. It is always so inspirational. And I am humbled by all the women in this Colorado community who daily do acts of kindness for their family, friends, and community, and I say, “Why me?” As women, we bring our hearts and souls to whatever we do, and we bring our treasure as we have it. We use our compassion and our resources to practice tikkun olam (repair the world) just because it is the way to live a meaningful life.